FAO Representation

Nepal

FAO in Nepal

Nepal became a member of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on 21 November 1951. Since that time Nepal and FAO have been cooperating to improve the agricultural and rural development of Nepal.

FAO was the first among the different UN agencies to start its office and field level work in Nepal focusing initially on agriculture and water resource management. During last 60 years of service, Nepal FAOoffice has made great strides in vital areas of agriculture and rural development by providing advice on policy matters and technical support in relevant sub sectors. It also mobilizes extra-budgetary sources in times of disaster and emergency to provide urgent humanitarian support.

The achievements of 60 years of cooperation is an opportune moment to reflect upon the successes achieved over those years while at the same time reaffirming the commitment and enthusiasm to maintain the momentum into the future. During these 60 years almost 300 projects have been implemented by the organization, embracing a broad range of programmes related to crop, vegetables, forestry, livestock, fishery, food safety, nutrition, planning,policy, rural development and environment conservation.

Likewise, through its Emergency Centre, FAO has been assisting the Government of Nepal in strengthening its capacities to control and contain transboundary animal diseases such as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Towards that end a Regional Support Unit has already been established in Kathmandu. This unit is contributing towards strengthening and empowering the SAARC member states to deliver improved and quality veterinary and public health services in an effort to prevent, control and eradicate highly pathogenic and emerging disease.

FAO is a technical agency and has been supporting the Government of Nepal in an integrated approach to address its immediate priorities through capacity building, institutional improvement, food security-related issues, agriculture and rural development. Currently, FAO is supporting the Government of Nepal in operationalsing the Agriculture Perspective Plan (APP), which was approved in 1995 and that covers a period up to 2015. It also is collaborating with other development partners in supporting the Government of Nepal in formulating an Agriculture Development Strategy and a National Food and Nutrition Security Plan, both of which have a vision for 20 years.